News Corp is to directly challenge Apple at its own game through the launch of a 10-inch Android powered tablet specifically designed for use by pupils and teachers.
Created by Amplify, News Corp’s education division, the gadget boasts its own customised user interface with student courses arranged by a series of ‘notebooks’. This allows teachers to connect, monitor and interact with their charges through the devices.
For instance when a pupil opens up a notebook the teacher can see that pupil to be active on a roster allowing learning materials to be shared whilst keeping an eye on any distracting apps – which can be shut down remotely.
Joel Klein, CEO of Amplify, said: "While there are other tablets out there, they are, for the most part, consumer goods recycled for an education market. This one is different. It's a new tablet¬-based learning platform designed specifically for the classroom and the school day."